Taqele Naiyaravoro

Glasgow Warriors new signing Taqele Naiyaravoro says he’s looking forward to making his debut for the club.

The Australian international winger, who arrived in Glasgow 9 days ago, trained with his new teammates at Scotstoun last week.

The Warriors return to Guinness PRO12 action on Friday night when they host the Dragons and Naiyaravoro says he would love to be involved in that game.

Taqele Naiyaravoro said: “I’m very excited and glad to finally be here. It’s beena long process, but it’s all good.

“I’d like to be involved in the game on Friday night, after missing the game last week (against Munster), but it’s been good having had a week of preparation. If I’m involved this week it will be an honour to play my 1st game for this club at the home ground and I hope the fans can come out and give me a warm welcome.”

Naiyaravoro, who has signed a 3-year contract with the Warriors, made his Australia debut against the USA last month, scoring a try with his 1st touch of the ball after coming off the Wallabies bench.

It’s been a busy summer for the Fiji-born winger, after he was called into an extended Australia squad and then went on to represent the Barbarians and a World XV.

He scored 3 tries for the World XV in a 45 / 20 win over Japan in August.

He said: “It’s been a hectic few months traveling around the world and playing in different teams and in different atmospheres. It’s been electrifying but I just couldn’t wait to get here. “It’s been an eye opener for me, personally I didn’t know how I could do all of this in a year, but it’s been a really good playing with big names and legends of the game.”

After a stand-out season in Super Rugby with the Waratahs, the 23-year-old believes he can continue to improve working with the coaches at Scotstoun and playing in the Guinness PRO12 and European Rugby Champions Cup.

He added: “Every coach I work under I try my best to learn whatever I can and get their thoughts on what I can do and I’m looking forward to working with Gregor (Townsend) and the other coaches and developing my skills and working on what I need to improve on.

“You can never stop learning and after a year in Super Rugby I want to learn as much as I can in this atmosphere, playing in the Guinness PRO12 and European Rugby Champions Cup.

“Training has been tough but the boys have really helped me out a lot and the coaching staff and everybody have really opened their arms to me. It’s a privilege and an honour to be here.

“Hard work pays off and I’m really excited about everything happening here.

“It’s a good city and some people have already come up and asked me for pictures and it’s amazing how everyone is clinging to their rugby and I’m excited to be representing this club.”